Sustainable development fundamental right of people: SC

The
Supreme Court has ruled that sustainable development is an integral
part of fundamental rights conferred on citizens by the Constitution.
The Apex court said this cannot be allowed to be hampered by
environmental degradation. A bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam said the
damage caused to environment due to illegal mining in Karnataka has
shocked judicial conscience and long arm of the law is to be
demonstrated in such cases.

While referring to illegal mining in the state, the bench said it has
had a chilling and crippling effect on ecology and environment. Apart
from playing havoc on the national economy, it had cast an ominous
cloud on the credibility of the system of governance by laws in force,
the court added.